Wang Leads Taiwan Past Australia 4-1

In the first game of the 2013 World Baseball Classic, Wang Chien-Ming tossed six scoreless innings to lead host Taiwan to a 4-1 victory against Australia.

The former Yankees 19-game winner, who pitched in the majors for the Nationals last year but is an unsigned free agent, allowed just four hits and struck out two while walking none against an Aussie lineup featuring four former major leaguers.

Taiwan got on top early against Australia’s Chris Oxspring, also a former major leaguer, with a run in the first inning. They chased Oxspring with two more in the third as the former Padres righty gave up three runs and five hits in 2.2 innings. Taiwan had 10 hits overall off seven Aussie pitchers to please the home crowd of 20,035.